Tesla Model Y crossover could be here way sooner than we thought

Tesla’s problems with Model 3 production have been extensively documented over the last year. The firm is currently producing around 2,000 cars per week as it attempts to fulfil over almost 500,000 pre-orders. That’s well short of its 5,000 unit target.

However, the backlog isn’t stopping Elon Musk from reportedly setting an ambitious goal for the next major release; the as-yet-unofficial Model Y crossover electric SUV.

According to Reuters sources (via Electrek), the company is planning to start production of the affordable companion to the Model 3 in November 2019.

That means the first cars could be rolling off the production line and heading to customers by early 2020.

The word comes via a Request for Information (RFI) reportedly sent out to automotive suppliers by Tesla. This process usually precedes the bidding process to build the various components that’ll make up the car.

The Reuters report says the request coming a-year-and-a-half before target production is an aggressive, yet achievable timescale. Usually automakers send out the RFIs two or more years before the start of production.